Visiting the Library and Archives

The Library and Archives

The Library-Archives Division collects, preserves, and makes available both published and unpublished materials about the history of Wisconsin, the United States and Canada. The Library and Archives also serves as the North American history research center for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and provides access to collections owned by the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research.

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Visit the Library

Collection strengths include United States and Canadian history and genealogy, Wisconsin history, and a newspaper collection second only to the Library of Congress.

Visit the Archives

Collection strengths include Wisconsin history and the history of mass communications, social action, and organized labor. The archives is home to the Society's map and atlas collection as well as audio, film, and photographs.

Research Tools

The Society's library and archival holdings are cataloged in the University of Wisconsin-Madison's library catalog. Find books, newspapers, maps, government publications, manuscripts, photographs, government records, audio and more.

Government Publications

The Library has a wide array of materials published by the governments of the United States, Canada, Wisconsin and most other states in the union. Some books, agency reports, statistical abstracts and legislative journals date back to the 1790s.

Government Records

The Archives has original historical records from schools and school districts, towns, counties, state government and agencies, the governor's office and the court system. Some records date back to 1821 when Wisconsin was still part of the Michigan Territory.